Lamp.



H. N. FOWLER.

LAMP. APPLICATION FILED we. 7, 1908.

914,259, Patented Mar. 2, 1909.

FIG. 1. E6: .2.

HARRY N. FOWLER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS,

ASSIGNOR TO M. O. FOWLER, OF CHICAGO,

ILLINOIS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented March 2, 1909.

Application filed August '7, 1908. Serial No. iV/ifi.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY N. FOWLER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident E of Chicago, in the county of Cook, in the l State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lamps; and I do hereby declare that the following descripl tion of my said invention, taken in connection with the accompanying sheet of drawings, forms a full, clear, and exact specification, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention has general reference to improvements in match lighters for automobiles, carriages, hearses, locomotive hear lights, boat lights, pilot lights of stoves, furnaces, heaters, &c., and it consists, essentially, in the novel and peculiar combination of parts and details of construction as here inafter first fully set forth and described and then pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings already mentioned, which serve to illustrate this invention more fully, Figure 1 is a side-elevation, and Fig. 2 a front-elevation of an automobile lamp and similar object embodying my invention, and being one of the various articles to which my invention is applicable. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional plan of the match lighter detached, said figure being taken in line aa; of Fig. I. Fig. 4 is an end view of the same, and Fig. 5 a plan. Fig. 6 is a similar view of a fragment of the device showing a slight modification of this device. Fig. 7 is a plan of the blank from which the outer tube of this device is made.

Like parts are designated by correspond ing symbols and characters in all the various figures.

The object of this invention is the production of a simple, eflicient, durable, and cheaply-constructed match lighter for use in l almost all instances where a light is to be lighted, and especially so when exposed to the air, or in such places where ready access cannot be had to the place where a light or fire is to be ignited. For instance, in lighting automobile, carriage and other lamps, l when in the open air it is very difficult to Y light a match and ignite the lamp, owing to the wind extinguishing the match or the light before the lamp can be closed. Again, in stoves, furnaces &c., where usually a pilot light is lighted to start the fire, these pilot l lights are diiiicult of access, being usually in out-otthe-way places. To provide for ready means for lighting such lights instantly and with positive certainty, I provide such lamps, pilot lights &c., with my invention which consists, essentially, of a metallic open-seam tube 2, which tube forms the outer casing and has at its forward end a series of 1nwardly-bent prongs 3, and near its rear end a bead 4, said tube being securely fastened to the lamp-body A. or other object Where a light is to be made, in such a manner that the forward end having the prongs 3 is in close proximity to the burner 5, and at a suitable angle thereto so as to insure positive ignition. In the interior of this outer casing 2 there is, slidingly arranged, another, smaller, open seamed, tube 6, the diameter and bore 7 of which is such as to retain a match 8, shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3, by frictional contact, said inner tube being made with an open seam and slightly less in diameter than the diameter of said match, so that the match must be forced into the open end of said inner tube 6 and is then held therein by the clamping action of the open tube. In the outer end of. the inner tube 6 there is provided a plug 9, to close this end, and this plug is supplied with a knob or button 10, wherewith the inner tube may be conveniently manipulated.

In order to retain the inner tube within the outer ca ing, the plug 9 is fitted with a projection or projections 11, engaging the outer casing 2 at the beaded part l, and thereby forming a snap-catch, owing to the fact that the outer casing, having an open seam, permits of expansion of the tube so that the projections 11 may pass into the same and, when reaching the groove 12, Fig. 3, engage therewith when the outer casing contracts to its normal size. Instead of this catch-mechanism. as described, I may substitute a bayonet lock, 13, as shown in Fig. 6., or any other improved means for locking the inner tube to the outer casing.

The outer casing 2 is formed from a blank shown in detail in Fig. 7, it being a rectangular sheet of metalhaving on one end a series of tapering notches Id, and on opposite edges tapering cut-outs 15, whereby the prongs 3 already referred to are produced. On the opposite end, this blank has an l..- shaped slot 16, forming in conjunction with the projection 11 on the inner tube the lock 13 already mentioned. his blank is made from stiff sheet metal and rolled into tubular form in a manner readily understood by persons skilled in the arts to which this method of sheet-metal working appertains.

In the ordinary matches most commonly in use, in which the lighting composition, (usually phosphorus,) is ignited by friction, the match is lighted when pushed out of the outer casing and passing the sharp prongs 3. When, however, the so-callcd safetymatches are being used, which. matches require to be rubbed over a prepared surface, such matches would not ignite by friction alone, and in order to render their use possible, I provide the inner surface of the outer casing the forked end with a prepared sheet of such igniting composition, which sheet is retained in position by the prongs 3, and which may be removed from said tube, and replaced therein through the open outer end of said outer casing This prepared surface is preferable formed into a tube and it may be cemented into the inner end of the outer casing, if so desired.

It will now be readily observed that the inner tube, telescoping into the outer casing, can be readily unlocked from the outer casing and withdrawn therefrom, a match inserted into the open end of the inner tube and the latter returned into the outer casing where the head of the match, coming in contact with the prongs ignited and pushed out of the outer easing into close proximity to the burner to be lighted. The intense heat generated by the match at the moment of its ignition, will invariably light the burner even when the heaviest kind of fuel or candles are used, and in the case of lamps, this is accomplished without opening the door of the lamp, and in the strongest wind in the open ir. The unconsumed portion of the match remaining in the inner tube can be easily pulled out of the same, but if too short to be clasped or grasped, it may be readily removed by inserting a knifeblade or otherv thin object into the open seam of the said inner tube, or a thin sheetmetal strip may be removably affixed to the inner tube, or a suitable ejector provided therein, if desired, and in Fig. 5 I have shown such an ejector ailixed to the button 10, said ejector consisting of a thin strip of metal 19, secured to the button 10 by a chain 18.

The device heretofore described is composed of but a few parts which are readily manufactured in suitable dies, and which can be produced at a very low cost.

While I have heretofore described the pre ferred form in which my invention may be carried into effect, I do not Wish to confine myself to the precise details set forth, since these may be varied without departing from my invention. For instance, while I prefer to make the outer casing from a blank formed into a tube having an open seam I may produce the same from a so-called open-seam tube, which is a regular and well-known article of manufacture. I may also produce this tube from seamless, or brazed tubing and saw the same open to produce the desired effect of elasticity and cxpansibility. Such r an open seamed inner tube slidingly arranged in said outer casing and having a plug and button at one end, and a locking device for removably securing said inner tube to the said outer casing.

2. As an improved article of manufacture, a match lighter adapted for use in connection with a lamp'or similar object, said match lighter consisting of an outer open seam casing, there being a series of inwardly-projecting prongs on the end of said outer casing; an inner tube having an open seam, said tubebeing slidingly arranged within the outer oasing, said tube having a bore adapted to hold a friction match in its end; a button on the end of said inner tube; a catch whereby said inner tube is removably secured to the outer casing, and an ejector for said match.

3. A match lighter consisting of an outer casing having an open seam; inwardly-proecting prongs on one end of said casing, and a bead on or near to the other end whereby an inner, annular, groove is afforded therein;

an inner open seam tube of a bore adapted to hold afr1ct1on matchm its end a plug at one I end of said inner tube, and. a button on said plug; an ejector plate, and a chain attached thereto and to the button; and a catch for locking the inner tube to the outer casing.

In testimon that I claim the fore 'oim as r my invention I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

H. N. FONLER. Attest:

MICHAEL J. STARK, WILLIAM O. STARK. 

